City Rival Arsenal For £10m Dutch Playmaker

Despite the transfer window being closed there is still plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today,

Manchester City have joined Arsenal in the race to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Adam Maher with the £10m-rated Dutch international expected to move clubs this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The Moroccan born ace has been in impressive form for AZ this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 7 assists in 25 appearances while he has also broken into the Holland senior national team set-up earning 3 caps so far.

It appears his form hasn’t gone unnoticed with the Mail claiming Arsenal have shown an interest in signing the 19-year-old while Premier League champions Man City have now also entered the chase to secure his signature.

The newspaper suggests that AZ expect Maher to leave at the end of the season and value him at around £10m, and City could now be the favourites to sign him after director of football Txiki Begiristain held talks with the playmaker over a move to Manchester before inviting him to watch a game at the Etihad Stadium.

The Mail seem to think Samir Nasri could be on his way out of City after a difficult season and the champions have identified Maher as a potential replacement.

However, AZ Alkmaar coach Gertjan Verbeek revealed back in January that he felt Maher would be a ‘perfect’ fit for Arsenal and he could follow in the footsteps of Robin van Persie by making his name in north London. Verbeek told Sky Sports:

“I think Arsenal is a perfect club for him. With Arsene Wenger, who worked with young talents like him before.

“He can get the most out of himself at Arsenal. Look at Robin van Persie, he joined Arsenal at a young age and look what he achieved.”

I’m not sure if Verbeek’s opinion has changed now that City are understood to be interested as well, but he’s a decent talent judging by the goal he scored against PSV earlier in the season, watch the footage below.

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